Frequently Asked Questions are organized into the following groups: Background Information, Planning, Design, Finance, Construction and Future. If you have a question or would like to suggest a question for inclusion on this page, please contact DOTBRT@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Background
BRT is a type of public transportation system that uses buses but is designed to be faster, more reliable, and more convenient than traditional bus service. It can be a good transit solution for corridors without enough potential riders to justify the cost of building and operating rail transit.
Every BRT system has a unique design, but the most effective systems include two key elements: a dedicated transitway (lanes dedicated to the buses) and improved bus operations. Elements may include traffic signal priority, more frequent service, stations with sheltered waiting areas and platforms that allow riders to walk directly onto the bus without the need for steps, fare payment before boarding, real-time bus arrival notices, larger buses, and a unique brand name that conveys the improved service.
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The Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project (branded as “The One”) extends 7.4 miles, from the Huntington Metro Station to Fort Belvoir. BRT buses will primarily travel in dedicated bus lanes, with some mixed traffic areas on the northern end of the project. The project will include nine BRT stations, safety enhancements, and operational changes that provide faster, more reliable transit service.
Along with providing for dedicated bus lanes and stations in the median of Richmond Highway, the project will provide continuous sidewalks and two-way cycle tracks on both sides of the road along with improved property entrances, improved sidewalks at intersecting streets, new turn lanes, and lighting and landscaping. The project is expected to result in enhanced safety for all users in the corridor.
Existing transit service in the corridor does not meet the current and anticipated future needs of residents in the Richmond Highway corridor. Existing challenges include long travel times, infrequent service, and delays at traffic signals and in rush hour congestion.
A study conducted by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) from 2013 to 2015 concluded that BRT is the best short-term option for the corridor. It was endorsed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2015 due to its potential to improve transit frequency, reliability, comfort, and attractiveness while addressing current challenges like long travel times and infrequent service.
Along with providing for dedicated bus lanes and stations in the median of Richmond Highway, the project would provide continuous sidewalks and two-way cycle tracks on both sides of the road along with improved property entrances, improved sidewalks at intersecting streets, new turn lanes, and lighting and landscaping. The project is expected to result in enhanced safety for all users in the corridor.
The BRT system will replace the Richmond Highway Express (REX) system currently serving the corridor. Fairfax Connector will continue to serve the corridor. Most non-BRT bus stop locations are anticipated to remain in their approximate current locations with minor adjustments made during construction and to reflect any Connector route adjustments.
The comprehensive approach to improvements in the Richmond Highway corridor is commonly referred to as Embark Richmond Highway, with three elements:
- road widening (including bicycle/pedestrian improvements),
- land use changes, and
- planning and design of the BRT system.
Updates to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (2015-IV-MV1) were led by the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development (FCDPD), and were approved by the Board of Supervisors in March of 2018.
VDOT is leading the roadway widening, The BRT element, led by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), has been underway since 2017. To date, the project development process has involved working with residents, community stakeholders and other county, state and federal government agencies to plan and design the BRT system.
The table below provides links to additional information for each project.
| Project | Lead Agency | Website | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Plan Amendment | FCDPD | https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov /planning-development/embark-richmond-highway |
dpzpd@fairfaxcounty.gov | 703-324-1380, TTY 711 |
| Richmond Highway Road Widening, Phase 2 | VDOT | https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/northern-virginia-district/richmond-highway-corridor-improvements-in-fairfax-county | richmondhighway @vdot.virginia.gov |
703-259-2734, TTY 711 |
| Richmond Highway BRT | FCDOT | https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov /transportation/Richmond-hwy-brt |
DOTBRT @fairfaxcounty.gov |
703-877-5600, TTY 711 |
The project is intended to provide benefits for all modes of travel. The main purpose of the project is to provide higher quality bus transit service along Richmond Highway. Improvements to traffic congestion are also a key consideration for the County and project funding partners (VDOT, NVTA). The project has included detailed traffic studies to estimate the anticipated traffic impacts, including expected travel times. In particular, traffic patterns near the South Kings Highway/North Kings Highway/Richmond Highway intersection (Penn Daw area) were studied contributed to design improvements that intend to facilitate smooth traffic operations at this critical location. All recommended improvements are being designed to meet local and state standards to provide safe and efficient travel options.
Planning
The projected transit ridership though 2040 in the Richmond Highway corridor is not enough to justify the cost to build and operate Metrorail, even if the lines and stations were above ground. To plan for further in the future, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors incorporated policy guidance for a Metrorail extension to Hybla Valley in the recently adopted Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The BRT system is an important initial step for building transit ridership and attracting growth and activity needed to support a Metrorail extension in the long term.
The greatest amount of future development in the corridor is envisioned to be concentrated in the areas closest to the BRT stations. For further information regarding planned land use changes in the corridor, please refer to the County Comprehensive Plan and the Richmond Highway District Design Guidelines.
It is unknown at this time whether and how much property values in the areas surrounding the station areas and Community Business Centers (CBCs) will be affected by future development.
The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act provides for uniform and equitable treatment of persons displaced from their homes and businesses by federal and federally-assisted projects. The Act also established uniform and equitable land acquisition policies for Federal and federally-assisted projects.
The Policy Plan element of Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan recommends maintaining existing affordable and workforce housing. It also recommends increasing the supply of affordable housing units each year. The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provides assistance to individuals seeking affordable home buying and rental opportunities and could help future residents find affordable and workforce housing in the Richmond Highway corridor.
Additionally, federal Environmental Justice statutes require that the County ensures full and fair participation in the transportation decision-making process by all communities potentially affected, and that we avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority or low-income populations.
Yes, the County is working to acquire property along Richmond Highway. As the design progressed, the County identified all existing roadway right-of-way and property lines and evaluated right-of-way impacts on all impacted properties. In general, the County has worked to minimize design impacts on properties and has shared information about the acquisition process at several meetings.
Federal law provides important protections and assistance for people affected by federally funded projects. Laws enacted by Congress ensure that people whose real property is acquired, or who move as a result of projects receiving federal funds, will be treated fairly and equitably and will receive assistance in moving from the property they occupy. VDOT’s Guide for Property Owners and Tenants provides useful information for those affected or potentially affected by roadway projects.
For more information, please see FCDOT's web page dedicated to right-of-way acquisition and coordination with affected property owners.
The project is being developed in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires federal agencies who propose a major federal action (such as this BRT project) to implement a process of environmental review and documentation prior to making decisions on that action. The law requires the evaluation of all impacts from the project to the human and natural environment, including potential impacts to socioeconomic conditions, and natural, historic and cultural resources. The purpose of NEPA is to ensure that environmental factors are weighted equally when compared to other factors in the decision-making process. NEPA requires that impacts to environmental resources be avoided, minimized or mitigated.
The NEPA process provides opportunities for citizens to learn about proposed project actions and provide input on potential environmental impacts. The development of an environmental document ensures that agencies are aware of the potential environmental consequences of their actions and that they are making well-informed project decisions.
In accordance with NEPA and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800), the environmental study evaluates what effect, if any, the proposed project will have on significant cultural and historic resources. The general sequence of events is as follows:
- Establish an “Area of Potential Effect”, or APE, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer. (This has been completed.)
- Identify historic properties, those listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, located within the APE. (This has been completed.)
- Determine what effects, if any, the project will have upon those historic properties. (This is being finalized.)
- Resolve any adverse effects through avoidance, minimization, or mitigation.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) determined that the project meets the criteria of a Categorical Exclusion under the agency’s implementing regulations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on Jan. 7, 2022. Please see the BRT Richmond Highway Project Materials page for more information.
The original DRPT study considered a BRT extension from Ft. Belvoir to Prince William County, but that extension is not currently included in the approved project scope.
Design and Construction
Placing utilities underground would raise the overall cost of the project significantly and add several years to the process. In addition, much of the state and federal funding cannot be used for undergrounding. For these reasons, the project does not include placing utilities underground.
Yes, but improved configuration of signalized intersections will better accommodate left turns and U-turns.
The next steps involve finalizing detailed engineering and design, securing additional funding and preparing for construction. The project has entered the Engineering Phase of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, with an expected operational date by late 2033.
Yes, but a plan to minimize traffic impacts is part of the system design. Strategies could include scheduling lane closures during off-peak hours and/or overnight periods. Please check this page for more information as the construction phase nears. Commuters may also wish to follow FCDOT on Facebook for social media updates.
Finance
The estimated cost of the Richmond Highway BRT project is approximately $978.8 million. This includes the development of dedicated bus lanes, BRT stations, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and various road safety enhancements.
The project will utilize a combination of regional (51%), state (6%), and federal (42%, pending grant approval) funding sources. To date, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) has allocated more than $300 million for the project and the Commonwealth of Virginia awarded a grant of $50 million. A request for FTA Capital Investments Grants (CIG) funding has been submitted, which could provide the bulk of the remaining funding need.
Future
The current projection is 15,000 – 18,000 riders per day by 2040.
The fare structure is not yet developed, but the goal is to be comparable to REX fares. The intent is to have fare cards that are compatible with Metro fare cards.
Comprehensive community and stakeholder engagement was included in the DRPT Multimodal Alternative Analysis and the Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan update, with both projects coordinating closely with several stakeholder committees and the community through an extensive series of meetings.
The Richmond Highway BRT project has utilized a similar process of engaging with elected officials, agency staff, community members, businesses owners, and other stakeholders through committees and public meetings. The County is also gathering input from stakeholders through a variety of community events and briefings throughout the study area.
To engage with the public throughout project development, the project website provides information about upcoming meetings and other opportunities to learn more and comment. You can also sign up for the project email list, or subscribe to Fairfax Alerts! (sign up for the category “Richmond Highway BRT Project Updates”).
Stay Involved
- Sign up for email and/or text updates on public meetings and official announcements via Fairfax Alerts. Search Fairfax County Department of Transportation and Richmond Highway BRT.
- Subscribe to the Richmond Highway BRT email list for project updates.
- Follow FCDOT on Facebook.
- Contact the project team.